Over the past 50 years, barn owl numbers have declined across the UK.

The birds are now red-listed – classified as being at risk of extinction – largely due to a loss of habitat but also the use of pesticide.

Bell has been closely involved in the project to support barn owls.

“They face so many challenges,” Bell said.

“They get poisoned with rodenticides, the loss of trees for them to nest in, the loss of nice big hedgerows for them to hunt over, the loss of rough ground for them to hunt over. They do get hit on our roads.

“They’re just really up against it, so anything that we can do to create little safe havens for them here Is just they really need.”

Those safe havens come in the form of nest boxes, specially designed to resemble the tree cavities barn owls nest in that are disappearing from our countryside.

They are shaped to keep water out.

Conservationists can access the nests to check on any chicks and ensure their wellbeing.

And there is a platform on the front, where the young birds will exercise and practise flying before leaving the nest.

Bell has “a long, long list” of farmers applying to have boxes installed.

“Of course, they’re the farmer’s friend – if you have them on the farm, that’s free rodent control.

“They’re eating your rats and your mice and everything on your farm.

“They work in harmony with us, which is just wonderful.”